CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-38217Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed

Microsoft Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) Protection Mechanism Failure

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-38217 is a medium-severity protection mechanism failure vulnerability in Windows 10 Version 1507 from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.4 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 10.0.10240.20766 as the first without the flaw, so updating Windows 10 Version 1507 to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on September 10, 2024, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.

Patch now

Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.

What to do

  1. Update Windows 10 Version 1507 to 10.0.10240.20766 or a later version.
  2. Update Windows 10 Version 1607 to 10.0.14393.7336 or a later version.
  3. Update Windows 10 Version 1809 to 10.0.17763.6293 or a later version.
  4. CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
  5. Read the advisory on msrc.microsoft.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  6. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  7. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 150710.0.10240.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.10240.2076610.0.10240.20766
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 160710.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.733610.0.14393.7336
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 180910.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.629310.0.17763.6293
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 21H210.0.19043.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.19044.489410.0.19044.4894
MicrosoftWindows 10 Version 22H210.0.19045.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.19045.489410.0.19045.4894
MicrosoftWindows 11 version 21H210.0.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22000.319710.0.22000.3197
MicrosoftWindows 11 version 22H210.0.22621.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22621.416910.0.22621.4169
MicrosoftWindows 11 version 22H310.0.22631.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22631.416910.0.22631.4169
MicrosoftWindows 11 Version 23H210.0.22631.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.22631.416910.0.22631.4169
MicrosoftWindows 11 Version 24H210.0.26100.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.26100.174210.0.26100.1742
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008 Service Pack 26.0.6003.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.6003.228706.0.6003.22870
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 16.1.7601.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.7601.273206.1.7601.27320
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (Server Core installation)6.1.7601.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.7601.273206.1.7601.27320
MicrosoftWindows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (Server Core installation)6.0.6003.0 up to, but not including, 6.0.6003.228706.0.6003.22870
MicrosoftWindows Server 20126.2.9200.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.9200.250736.2.9200.25073
MicrosoftWindows Server 2012 (Server Core installation)6.2.9200.0 up to, but not including, 6.2.9200.250736.2.9200.25073
MicrosoftWindows Server 2012 R26.3.9600.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.9600.221756.3.9600.22175
MicrosoftWindows Server 2012 R2 (Server Core installation)6.3.9600.0 up to, but not including, 6.3.9600.221756.3.9600.22175
MicrosoftWindows Server 201610.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.733610.0.14393.7336
MicrosoftWindows Server 2016 (Server Core installation)10.0.14393.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.14393.733610.0.14393.7336
MicrosoftWindows Server 201910.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.629310.0.17763.6293
MicrosoftWindows Server 2019 (Server Core installation)10.0.17763.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.17763.629310.0.17763.6293
MicrosoftWindows Server 202210.0.20348.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.20348.270010.0.20348.2700
MicrosoftWindows Server 2022, 23H2 Edition (Server Core installation)10.0.25398.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.25398.112810.0.25398.1128
MicrosoftWindows 10 1507before 10.0.10240.2076610.0.10240.20766

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 10 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
LowLimited modification of data is possible.
Availability
LowPerformance or availability is reduced.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L. Scored by CNA (microsoft.com).

Official description

Windows Mark of the Web Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Protection Mechanism Failure

The product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the product.

More Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities (CWE-693)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
  3. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  4. Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
  5. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Other vulnerabilities in Windows 10 Version 1507

All Windows 10 Version 1507 vulnerabilities

Recent Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities

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